Tesla CEO Elon Musk has publicly refuted a conspiracy theory suggesting that Matthew Livelsberger, the suspect behind the recent Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion, was framed. The incident, currently under investigation, has given rise to a swirl of unfounded claims on social media.
The Incident
On Wednesday, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time. Authorities reported that Livelsberger, the sole occupant of the vehicle, sustained a gunshot wound to the head before the explosion. Seven other individuals were injured in the blast, which law enforcement is treating as a potential act of terrorism.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that Livelsberger may have driven to the hotel, shot himself, and then detonated makeshift explosives inside the Cybertruck. The vehicle was reportedly packed with gas canisters and fireworks, leading to speculation about the nature and planning of the attack.
Conspiracy Theories Emerge
Despite ongoing investigations, social media platforms have become a breeding ground for speculation. A popular theory suggests Livelsberger, a former Green Beret and military explosives expert, could not have orchestrated the attack, given the rudimentary nature of the explosives.
Some users, including @EndWokeness on X (formerly Twitter), posited that Livelsberger might have been killed elsewhere and his body placed in the Cybertruck, which then navigated autonomously to the hotel.
However, Musk dismissed these claims, emphasizing Tesla’s safety measures. “Autopilot will not function unless it detects an attentive person in the driver’s seat,” Musk wrote on X in response to political commentator Rogan O’Handley, who had speculated about the possibility of the Cybertruck operating autonomously.
Questions Persist
Livelsberger’s background as a military bomb expert has fueled skepticism about the crude explosives used in the attack. Critics argue that someone with nearly two decades of experience in the Army Special Forces could have constructed more sophisticated devices.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the explosion as a terror-related act while working to determine Livelsberger’s motive. As speculation grows, law enforcement has urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information.
Tesla and Musk have not provided further comments on the incident, which remains under scrutiny by local and federal agencies.
